Mounting hardware

ABSTRACT

An assembly includes a simulated nut-and-washer member and a mounting device. The simulated nut-and-washer member includes a base plate simulating a washer, and a cylindrical portion simulating a nut and having a top surface and an outer sidewall with a plurality of faces, the top surface defining a first circular opening having a first diameter. An inner annular surface is disposed radially inward from the outer sidewall and defines a second circular opening disposed coaxial with the first circular opening and having a diameter that is less than the first diameter. The mounting device is configured to be received through the first and second circular openings, and it has a head portion that is configured to contact the inner annular surface.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/338,104, filed on Oct. 28, 2016, now pending,which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/820,757, filed Aug. 7, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,771,966, which is adivisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/918,227filed Jun. 14, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,133,874, which claims priorityto U.S. Provisional Application for Patent No. 61/660,419 filed Jun. 15,2012, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/168,649, entitled “Through Bolted Connection Hardware,” filed on Jun.22, 2016, now pending, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/304,519, filed on Jun. 13, 2014, now U.S. Pat.No. 9,377,047, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/835,281, filed on Jun. 14, 2013, each of which ishereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to mounting hardware and inparticular to mounting hardware which imitates architectural hardware.

Description of Related Art

Many construction projects have aesthetic designs which require the useof architectural hardware. The term “architectural hardware” refers tohardware having antique designs. If the project budget permits, actualantique hardware components can be used, or alternatively the antiquehardware components can be recreated or reproduced from same materialswith the same design as the antique original. These options can be quiteexpensive, and thus are beyond the reach of most projects. Additionally,working with such connectors can require special skills and equipment,thus placing use and installation of architectural hardware componentsbeyond the reach of the conventional consumer (such as a home owner).

One example of a desired architectural hardware component is the rivet,nail or pin connector. Another example of a desired architecturalhardware component is a nut/bolt/washer connector. These components aretypically made of iron or steel and used in a number of connectionapplications. Consumers desiring an aesthetic design matching old worldcraftsmanship would like to have access to rivet, nail, pin and/ornut/bolt/washer connector hardware that looks historically accurate butis made for easy installation at a low cost.

There would accordingly be an advantage if connectors having anarchitectural hardware aesthetic could be provided in a form which wouldpermit installation using tools and skills possessed by most homeowners.In this way, the homeowner could match old world designs without theexpense of finding actual antique parts, or paying for antiquerestorations or reproductions.

It is further known in the art to provide an antique-looking hardwarecomponent in the form of an appropriately configured head portion, suchas domed cap to simulate a rivet or pin head, with a mounting devicefixedly attached to the head portion. For example, a threaded connectoror screw, or a nail, may be welded to a bottom or inside surface of thehead portion. These hardware components can be installed as accentpieces, but do not provide for a structural configuration and support.

What is needed is a rivet, nail, pin and/or nut/bolt/washer connectorsized and shaped to match antique connector designs but produced at alow per connector cost and constructed to permit easy installation. Itwould further be advantageous if the connector could also support use asa structural attachment.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an embodiment, apparatus comprises: a base portionincluding a disc-shaped base plate and a cylindrical member with a firstthreaded surface; wherein the disc-shaped base plate includes a firstopening and the cylindrical member includes a second opening, said firstand second openings being concentric; and a cap portion including asecond threaded surface; wherein said cap portion is attachable to saidbase portion through engagement of the first and second threadedsurfaces.

In an embodiment, a hardware component imitating a rivet, nail or pinconnector comprises: a cap portion including a domed outer surface and abase surface, said base surface including a first cylindrical apertureand a second cylindrical aperture concentric with the first cylindricalaperture; wherein the second cylindrical aperture has an inner threadedsurface; a base portion including a disc-shaped base plate and acylindrical member having an outer threaded surface; wherein the innerthreaded surface is configured to mate with the outer threaded surface;wherein the first cylindrical aperture is sized and shaped to receivethe disc-shaped base plate.

In an embodiment, a hardware component imitating a nut/bolt/washerconnector comprises: a base portion including a disc-shaped base plateand a cylindrical member having a first end mounted to the base plate, asecond end opposite the first end and an outer surface with a hexconfiguration, said cylindrical member further including an apertureformed in the second end having an inner threaded surface; a cap portionincluding a flat outer surface, a flat base surface and an outerthreaded surface extending between the flat outer surface and flat basesurface; wherein the inner threaded surface is configured to mate withthe outer threaded surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the presentinvention may be acquired by reference to the following DetailedDescription when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a rivet, nail, pin connector;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a base portion of the connector of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the base portion of the connector ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cap portion of the connector of FIG.1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cap portion of the connector ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a nut/bolt/washer connector;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a base portion of theconnector of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the base portion of the connector ofFIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a cap portion of the connector of FIG.6;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the cap portion of the connector of FIG. 6 and

FIG. 11 is an assembled perspective view of the connector of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is now made to FIG. 1 which illustrates an explodedperspective view of a rivet, nail or pin connector 10. The connector 10comprises a base portion 12 and a cap portion 14. An outer surface ofthe base portion 12 is threaded. An inner surface of the cap portion 14is correspondingly threaded. Thus, the cap portion 14 may be attached tothe base portion 12 through the threaded interconnection. In thisconfiguration, the base portion 12 comprises a male body member of theassembly and the cap portion 14 comprises a female body member.

Reference is now additionally made to FIG. 2 which illustrates aperspective view of the base portion 12 and FIG. 3 which illustrates across-sectional view of the base portion 12. The base portion 12comprises a disc-shaped base plate 30. A cylindrical member 32 ismounted to the base plate 30. The cylindrical member 32 is preferablycentered on the base plate 30. The base plate 30 includes an opening 34extending there through. The cylindrical member 32 includes an opening36 coaxially aligned with the opening 34. The cylindrical member 32accordingly has an inner sidewall 38 and an outer sidewall 40. The outersidewall 40 is threaded. The inner sidewall 38 is smooth.

Reference is now additionally made to FIG. 4 which illustrates aperspective view of the cap portion 14 and FIG. 5 which illustrates across-sectional view of the cap portion 14. The cap portion 14 has adomed outer surface 50 and a flat base surface 52. The domed outersurface 50 is sized and shaped to imitate the head of a rivet, nail orpin. The domed outer surface 50 may have a smooth finish. Alternatively,and perhaps preferably, the domed outer surface 50 may have a texturedsurface, for example with a texture that is dimpled to provide the lookof a hammered or distressed surface. A first aperture 54 is formed inthe base surface 52. The first aperture 54 is cylindrical and has a sidewall 56. The aperture 54 is sized and shaped to receive the base plate30 of the base portion 12 (i.e., its diameter is slightly larger thanthe diameter of the base plate 30 and its depth is about equal to athickness of the base plate 30). A bottom of the first aperture 54 isdefined by a ledge 58. A second aperture 60 is also formed, this time inthe ledge 58, wherein the second aperture 60 is coaxial with the firstaperture 54. The second aperture 60 is cylindrical and has a side wall62. The sidewall 62 is threaded to matingly correspond with the threadedouter sidewall 40 of the base portion 12. The second aperture 60 has adepth equal to or, or more preferably exceeding a height of thecylindrical member 32.

Reference is once again made to FIG. 1. The opening 34 in the base plate30 of the base portion 12 is sized to permit passage there through of ashaft 70 of a mounting device 72 (such as a screw or bolt). The opening36 (FIGS. 2 and 3) in the cylindrical member 32 of the base portion 12is sized to permit reception of a head portion 74 of the mounting device72. Advantageously, the user is not limited in selection of the mountingdevice 72. No limit on mounting hardware length, size or grade exists.So, if used in an ornamental manner, the user may choose a lower length,size or grade mounting device 72. However, if used in a structuralmanner the user may instead select a higher length, size or grademounting device 72. The connector 10 is accordingly useful over a widerange of uses from purely ornamental to fully structural (where suchstructural use is augmented by the ornamental features of the capportion).

To install the connector 10, the base portion 12 is positioned on amounting member at a desired mounting location. The mounting device 72is driven into the mounting member through the opening 34 in the baseplate 30 until the head portion 74 rests against the base plate 30. Thecap portion 14 is then attached to the base portion 12 by engaging thethreaded sidewall 62 of the cap portion 14 to threaded outer sidewall 40of the base portion 12. The cap portion 14 is rotated to tighten the capportion 14 into a secured position on the base portion 12 which hidesthe base plate 30 within the first aperture 54, leaving the cap portion14 with its domed outer surface 50 exposed. The resulting assembly thusimitates an architectural hardware component of the rivet, nail or pinconnector type. Advantageously, the installation solely requires the useof a conventional mounting device 72 (for example, screw or bolt) andthus does not require specific installation expertise or tools. Theconnector 10 may solely provide a decorative feature as installed.Alternatively, through proper selection of the mounting device 72, theconnector 10 may additionally serve as a structural component.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6 which illustrates an explodedperspective view of a nut/bolt/washer connector 110. The connector 110comprises a base portion 112 and a cap portion 114. An inner surface ofthe base portion 112 is threaded. An outer surface of the cap portion114 is correspondingly threaded. Thus, the cap portion 114 may beattached to the base portion 112 through the threaded interconnection.In this configuration, the base portion 112 comprises a female bodymember of the assembly and the cap portion 114 comprises a male bodymember.

Reference is now additionally made to FIG. 7 which illustrates anexploded perspective view of the base portion 112 and FIG. 8 whichillustrates a cross-sectional view of the (assembled) base portion 112.The base portion 112 comprises a disc-shaped base plate 130. Acylindrical member 132 is mounted to the base plate 130 (this is notshown in the exploded view of FIG. 7, see FIG. 8). The cylindricalmember 132 is preferably centered on the base plate 130. The base plate130 includes an opening 134 extending there through. The cylindricalmember 132 includes opening 136 coaxially aligned with the opening 134.The cylindrical member 132 accordingly has an inner sidewall 138 and anouter sidewall 140. The inner sidewall 138 is threaded. The outersidewall 140 is sized and shaped to imitate a hexagonal nut (or bolthead), with the disc-shaped base plate 130 sized and shaped relativethereto to imitate a washer.

Indeed, the base portion 112 can easily be fabricated from off-the-shelfcomponents. The disc-shaped base plate 130 may be a standard steelhardware washer and the cylindrical member 132 may be a standard steelhex nut. The hex nut may be welded to the washer with a concentricconfiguration.

Reference is now additionally made to FIG. 9 which illustrates aperspective view of the cap portion 114 and FIG. 10 which illustrates aside view of the cap portion 114. The cap portion 114 has a flat outersurface 150 and a flat base surface 152. The flat outer surface 150further includes an opening 154 having a hexagonal shape sized to matewith a standard size Allen wrench or other tool. The opening 154 isoptional. The cap portion 114 further includes a cylindrical outersurface 156 extending between the flat outer surface 150 and the flatbase surface 152. The cylindrical outer surface 156 is threaded tomatingly correspond with the threaded inner sidewall 138 of the baseportion 112.

The cap portion 114 may comprise, for example, a steel set screw.

Reference is once again made to FIG. 6. The opening 134 in the baseplate 130 of the base portion 112 is sized to permit passage therethrough of a shaft of a mounting device (such as a screw or bolt) likethat shown in FIG. 1. The opening 136 (FIGS. 7 and 8) in the cylindricalmember 132 of the base portion 112 is sized to permit reception of ahead portion of the mounting device as well as receive the cap portion114. Advantageously, the user is not limited in selection of themounting device. No limit on mounting hardware length, size or gradeexists. So, if used in an ornamental manner, the user may choose a lowerlength, size or grade mounting device. However, if used in a structuralmanner the user may instead select a higher length, size or grademounting device. The connector 110 is accordingly useful over a widerange of uses from purely ornamental to fully structural (where suchstructural use is augmented by the ornamental features of the baseportion and cap portion).

To install the connector 110, the base portion 112 is positioned on amounting member at a desired mounting location. The mounting device(reference 72 of FIG. 1) is driven into the mounting member through theopening 134 in the base plate 130 until the head portion 74 (see,FIG. 1) rests against the base plate 130. The cap portion 114 is thenattached to the base portion 112 by engaging the threaded outer sidewall156 of the cap portion 114 to threaded inner sidewall 138 of the baseportion 112. The cap portion 114 is rotated to tighten the cap portion114 into a secured position on the base portion 112. The opening 154 maybe advantageously used during the tightening operation to receive anassembly tool such as an Allen wrench. Preferably, the cap portion 114is tightened until the flat outer surface 150 substantially flush with atop surface 162 of the base portion 112 (see, FIG. 11). The resultingassembly thus imitates an architectural hardware component of thenut/bolt/washer connector type. Advantageously, the installation solelyrequires the use of a conventional mounting device (for example, screwor bolt) and thus does not require specific installation expertise ortools. The connector 110 may solely provide a decorative feature asinstalled. Alternatively, through proper selection of the mountingdevice 72, the connector 110 may additionally serve as a structuralcomponent.

Those skilled in the art recognize that with improvements inconstruction materials, many installations will no longer require beamsor other support members. Nonetheless, the architectural design mayrequire the presence of such beams or members even where they are notstructurally required (for example, are not load bearing). It is commonin such installations to install faux beams or members, for example,made or foam or other lightweight non-structurally graded materials thatare aesthetically treated through painting and other techniques to looklike a real beam or member. To complete the illusion that these fauxbeams or members are real, it is important that the proper supportinghardware be used (such as rivets, pins, nut/bolt/washers, etc.). Theconnectors 10 and 110 as discussed herein provide an effective means foradding supporting hardware connectors of a proper style and size. Anadvantage of the connectors 10 and 110 over prior art hardware is thatthe mounting device 72 is selectable at user option in accordance withthe given application. Thus, the mounting device 72 may chosen for atack application of the connector 10 or 110, or alternatively chosen fora more structural application (such as for retaining the faux beam ormember to a wall stud).

Although preferred embodiments of the method and apparatus of thepresent invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings anddescribed in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understoodthat the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but iscapable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutionswithout departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth anddefined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hardware assembly, comprising: a simulated bolthead comprising: a plurality of outer surfaces configured to simulate ahardware nut; an inner cylindrical surface disposed radially internal tothe plurality of outer surfaces; an intermediate cylindrical surfacedisposed radially between the plurality of outer surfaces and the innercylindrical surface; an inner annular surface disposed radially betweenthe inner cylindrical surface and the intermediate cylindrical surface;a cap disposed within the intermediate cylindrical surface and defininga tool receiving opening, the cap having an exposed top surface; and athreaded shaft surrounded by the inner cylindrical surface.
 2. Thehardware assembly of claim 1 wherein the threaded shaft is configured topenetrate a structural member.
 3. The hardware assembly of claim 1wherein the threaded shaft is separate from the cap.
 4. The hardwareassembly of claim 1 wherein the plurality of outer surfaces areconfigured to simulate a hex nut.
 5. The hardware assembly of claim 1wherein the cap includes an outer threaded surface in threadedengagement with the intermediate cylindrical surface.
 6. The hardwareassembly of claim 1 wherein the simulated bolt head further comprises anintegral flange portion disposed radially external to the plurality ofouter surfaces.
 7. The hardware assembly of claim 1 wherein the exposedtop surface of the cap is disposed substantially flush with an outerannular surface of the simulated bolt head.
 8. An assembly, comprising:a simulated nut-and-washer member comprising: a base plate simulating awasher; a cylindrical portion simulating a nut, the cylindrical portioncomprising a top surface and an outer sidewall having a plurality offaces, the top surface defining a first circular opening having a firstdiameter; and an inner annular surface disposed radially inward from theouter sidewall, the inner annular surface defining a second circularopening disposed coaxial with the first circular opening and having adiameter that is less than the first diameter; and a mounting deviceconfigured to be received through the first and second circular openingsand having a head portion configured to contact the inner annularsurface.
 9. The assembly of claim 8 further comprising the mountingdevice being received through the first and second circular openings andthe head portion of the mounting device contacting the inner annularsurface.
 10. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the base plate extendsradially beyond the cylindrical portion.
 11. The assembly of claim 8wherein the mounting device is a screw.
 12. The assembly of claim 8wherein the mounting device is a bolt.
 13. The assembly of claim 8wherein the plurality of faces is six faces.
 14. A simulated hardwaremember, comprising: an outer surface comprising a plurality of faces; aflange extending radially outward and disposed axially below the outersurface; a top surface defining a first circular opening having a firstdiameter; and an inner annular surface disposed within the firstcircular opening being sized to support a head of a mounting device anddefining a second circular opening disposed coaxial with the firstcircular opening and having a diameter that is less than the firstdiameter.
 15. The simulated hardware member of claim 14 wherein theplurality of faces comprises six faces.